Are you working on a road or bridge construction project? Such projects are becoming more important to many construction related businesses as the residential development market slows. What's more, there's more pressure than ever for these projects to be "green" -- which means your presence on these job sites can bring positive attention to them.

If you're involved with a highway or bridge construction project that's high profile, consider submitting it to Roads & Bridges magazine's annual awards. They select their top ten best each year for profiling in the magazine and online -- providing valuable exposure to contractors involved.

CWS has created a spec for transportation planning officials to help define how concrete washout services can be included in their project plans. Our spec was based on information provided by CalTrans (California's transportation department), a recognized leader in green project planning.

If you'd like a copy to help you in your local selling efforts, please contact us at {encode="gazette@concretewashout.com" title="gazette@concretewashout.com"}

MORE ENFORCEMENT NEWS

Last month, EPA levied fines on several of Hayden, Idaho's utilities and contractors for violating the Clean Water Act. Non-compliant concrete washout activities were specifically mentioned. Read more on EPA's site at this link:

Congratulations to CWS operator Ted Honcharik, whose company Pacific Tank Lines was recently named "Carrier of the Year" by Chevron.

WELCOME, ATLAS DISPOSAL: NEW OPERATOR IN SACRAMENTO TERRITORY

Atlas Disposal joined the CWS operator network last month. A local Sacramento area waste hauler, Atlas will now add the CWS solution to its menu of job site services. Atlas will be participating in a region already served by Elk Grove Waste -- helping to ensure CWS's full penetration of the market.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Q: What do I need to know about NPDES permits?

NPDES, or National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, is a permitting process to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act. In most states (45 out of 50), the state determines the exact requirements for compliance. Because these permits include requirements for managing concrete washout waste and wastewater, monitoring your own state's permitting process is critical to your business.

In most states, the permit requirements are reevaluated and rewritten every three to five years. Whether your state currently has aggressive compliance requirements -- or very weak requirements -- you can help your own business (and the local environment) by staying informed and involving yourself in the process. As reported last month, CWS has been working with the California State Water Board to ensure that the damaging effects of concrete pollution are fully understood. We have also recently contacted the Georgia Department of Environmental Quality and the Georgia Governor’s Office to ensure awareness of the issue of concrete pollution.

For more information on how you can bring attention to concrete washout issues in your state, feel free to contact Joe Capko at {encode="joe@concretewashout.com" title="joe@concretewashout.com"} or Mark Jenkins at {encode="mark@concretewashout.com" title="mark@concretewashout.com."}

Quote of the month:

"A lie makes it half way around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Winston Churchill